Jobs
Research Analyst – Ohio Southeast Economic Development – Nelsonville, OH
OhioSE is seeking a Research Analyst to support its JobsOhio economic development functions and help meet other operational data and research needs. The ideal candidate will hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in regional planning, public administration, geography, economics, business or other field which requires substantial use of socio‐economic research skills and have 3 to 5 years of related professional experience.
read moreDirector of Community Development & Economic Development – City of Sandusky
The City of Sandusky is looking for an experienced Director of Community and Economic Development to join our Department of Economic Development and Planning. This individual will provide oversight and executive leadership of city activities pertaining to economic development, community development, and municipal real estate. Is ultimately responsible for managing employee performance, annual budgeting, review and approval of all department expenses, and ensure the successful performance of the department and its furtherance of objectives outlined in current strategic plans and masterplans.
read moreOEDI Capstone Course Open for Registration October 15
The next Cohort of the OEDI Capstone Course will be open for registration October 15, 2020.
Economic developers who have completed the Ohio Basic Economic Development Course and the required Core Courses are eligible to register for the Capstone Course.
read moreOEDA announces and congratulates the 2020 class of OhioCEDs — Certified Economic Developers
Congratulations to the 2020 Certified OhioCED Economic Development Professionals
read moreEconomic Equity Agenda Needed to Revive the American Dream for All
2020 has been a disaster. COVID 19 not only infected millions of American and likely will kill a couple hundred thousand more but, triggered by police misconduct, a surge of legitimate protests along with unwarranted violence lead to the destruction of neighborhoods and property across the United States. The economic challenge for many communities even before COVID 19 illustrated a clear line between winners and losers. In Franklin County, Ohio, home to mid-sized urban market winner Columbus, before the large negative impact of COVID 19 the county’s overall poverty rate was 16.7%, 29.9% for African Americans, and 25% for children. Rural America has been struggling as they lose population and battle opioid addiction. Public officials, economic development and private sector business and development leaders are searching for ways to address legitimate claims that the American Dream does not seem achievable by a share of the nation.
read moreDelivering Local Government Services During a Pandemic
The defining challenge that local governments have faced during the COVID-19pandemic, and one that they will continue to face for some time, is how to administer critical services in a manner that keeps both the public and government employees safe and healthy. While many services can be delivered via internet/ web-based applications, some residents do not have access in their homes, and others may prefer to interact face-to-face. Still others do not have access to transportation or must rely solely on public transit where it is available. As a result, there is an enduring need for areas inside government facilities where the public and staff can safely interact in person.
read moreHelping All Ohioans Return to Work
Like the rest of the nation, Ohio faces historically high unemployment in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The impact, at its height, has reached more than a million displaced workers, disproportionately touching Ohio’s economically vulnerable populations.
read moreTracked Senate Bills – September 2020
HB 6 Repeal Effort
On August 31, Speaker Bob Cupp announced any House bills aiming to repeal or replace HB 6 must go through a special committee – the new House Select Committee on Energy Policy & Oversight. The House immediately referred three bills to the new panel – two repeal measures (HB 738 & HB 746, both of which are discussed below) and one to reverse budget language on significantly excessive earnings determinations for utility companies (HB 740). The speaker said the chamber wants to “act expeditiously” on the issue. Given the structure of the House, the speaker’s move allows HB 6 repeal measures to bypass the House Energy & Natural Resources Committee which is led by Rep. Nino Vitale, who disfavors a full repeal and is one of a handful of House members seeking to impeach Governor DeWine over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic response.
Tracked House Bills – August 2020
Ohio House Leadership Changes
In early August, members of the House of Representatives ejected Rep. Larry Householder from his speakership role. By a vote of 91-0, the House brought Rep. Householder’s (R-Glenford) second stint as the chamber’s leader to an end. This move came shortly after a federal grand jury indicted Rep. Householder for his alleged role in orchestrating a $60 million racketeering scheme. (Note Rep. Householder’s first stint as House Speaker ended under a cloud of suspicion as he was subject to a federal investigation at the time; that investigation ended without any charges filed.) Following the vote, the House voted to install Speaker Bob Cupp (R-Lima), who said he will work to restore trust in the Ohio House; Speaker Cupp is an experienced public servant, having been an Ohio Supreme Court Justice and a longtime member of the Ohio General Assembly. Speaker Cupp has signaled he’s going to take a less combative tone with Gov. DeWine’s COVID-19 efforts than his predecessor, and he quickly moved to replace the House leadership’s team with new aides and support staff.
read moreTracked Senate Bills – August 2020
Industry Credentials for Students
The Ohio Department of Education, in collaboration with the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, has developed a new application process for submitting industry-recognized credentials to the approved list for graduation. Community stakeholders, including businesses, may suggest industry credentials for consideration by completing an application due August 30. Approved credentials from this quarter will be available to students for the 2021-2022 school year. For more information and to complete an application, click here. Further, questions may be directed to industrycredentials@education.ohio.gov.
read moreTracked House Bills – July 2020
News from the Statehouse:
House Speaker Arrested, Charged with Federal Bribery and Related Offenses
On July 21, the FBI raided the home of Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder. Later during the day, law enforcement arrested Speaker Householder and four other individuals in connection with a $60 million bribery case related to H.B. 6, legislation that subsidized Ohio’s two nuclear power plants. Speaker Householder had returned to the House in 2016 following a stint in the early 2000s when he also served as Speaker. His earlier departure coincided with another FBI investigation stemming from e-mails and related to funneling of campaign contributions. No charges were ever filed in that case.
The other four individuals arrested are Neil Clark, founder of Grant Street Consultants, a prominent lobbying firm in Columbus; former Ohio Republican Party chair and consultant Matthew Borges; Juan Cespedes, co-founder of The Oxley Group in Columbus; and Jeffrey Longstreth, adviser to Householder. They were released from custody afterward, with travel restrictions and prohibitions on contact with others involved in the case. All face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
read moreTracked Senate Bills – July 2020
COVID-19 Update:
Mask Requirements:
With COVID cases on the rise, on July 22 Governor DeWine announced that beginning on Thursday, July 23, at 6:00 p.m., a statewide mask mandate will go into effect for citizens living in all 88 Ohio counties. All individuals in Ohio must wear facial coverings in public at all times when:
At an indoor location that is not a residence
Outdoors, but unable to maintain six-foot social distance from people who are not household members
Waiting for, riding, driving, or operating public transportation, such as a taxi, a car service, or a private car used for ride-sharing.
Customer Service Expert to Speak November 6, courtesy of the I70/75 Development Corporation
The I70/75 Development Corporation is sponsoring a no-charge online presentation by Louis Gravance, open to all economic developers, on November 6th at 11:30am. Mr. Gravance is a customer service guru and former training designer for Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. After almost two decades with Disney, Louie was drafted by Bank of America and ING Financial to help re-think service in the investment industry.
The Phoenix Series: Rebirth, Renewal & Revenue for Your Business Webinar
ELITE and the London Stock Exchange Group will be hosting a webinar/online seminar on September 15 for SMEs to learn about strategies that will prepare them for post-pandemic success.